How to Say ‘I wanted’ in German
Ich wollte
ikh VOL-tuh
[ikh VOL-tuh]
💬 Usage Tip: Often used to sound softer and more polite than a direct request. Think: 'I just wanted to…'
🇩🇪 In Germany: German service and housing conversations often sound direct, so this phrase helps make your opening gentler.
Phrase Breakdown
Ich
[ikh]
I
The first-person singular pronoun, used when you are speaking about yourself.
Ich wollte dem Vermieter schon gestern Bescheid sagen.
I wanted to inform the landlord yesterday already.
wollte
[VOL-tuh]
wanted
Past tense of 'wollen'; used politely here to introduce why you came or called.
Ich wollte wegen dem kaputten warmen Wasser anrufen.
I wanted to call because of the broken hot water.
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